Permission for large Kildare housing development appealed
Photo is for illustrative purposes only
PLANNING permission for over 200 houses near Naas Racecourse has been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála by locals including residents’ groups, while developer Ballymore Development Limited is separately seeking to overturn planning conditions that limited the scheme.
Ballymore Development Ltd’s application for a 234-home and crèche development on lands to the west of the racecourse was granted permission by Kildare County Council on 29 September although the housing numbers were revised down to 226.
Locals claim that the approved housing scheme could threaten a long-established playground and worsen traffic problems.
A significant number of submissions and appeals had been lodged, including appeals by the Kingsfurze Avenue Residents Association and the Woodlands Residents Association.
The appeal grounds include concerns over traffic and road access, while one appellant argues that a proposed future pedestrian connection could impact a long-established playground in Kingsfurze Avenue. Residents claim an alternative link is already provided elsewhere in the development.
Residents also argued that the impact on the community has not been assessed. The Woodlands Residents Association said that the vast majority of its members are aged over 55 and that their “particular sensitivity to noise and disruption” should be considered”.
They said: “Naas needs homes and we recognise that. However this application must be assessed against the planning policy framework that exists to protect established communities, and against the documented infrastructure deficits that already affect this area”.
The council ultimately sided with residents on Ballymore’s proposed second pedestrian connection to the Kingsfurze Avenue playground. The planner concluded that the link was unnecessary because another connection already exists.
The council approved Ballymore’s application on the condition that two apartment and triplex blocks in the north-west corner of the site be reduced in height.
The local authority concluded that it was inappropriate to have three-storey apartment and triplex blocks only 10.5 to 11 metres from the rear boundaries of homes in Kingsfurze Avenue.
Ballymore argues that the revised layout complies with planning standards and that the reduction is not justified.
In addition, Ballymore has also challenged a crèche restriction.
The council imposed a condition limiting the childcare facility to 39 children at any one time ‘unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Planning Authority’.
Ballymore has argued that there is no clear planning justification for reducing capacity to 39 children.
The case is due to be decided by 12 February next.
